Asymmetric drag force bearings for use with push-cable storage drums

ABSTRACT

A pipe inspection system may include a cable storage drum and a length of resilient flexible push-cable. An asymmetric bearing device supports the cable storage drum for rotation about the rotational axis in a pay-out direction and an opposite pay-in direction. In one embodiment, the asymmetric bearing device automatically decreases, without the for manual adjustment, an amount of friction exerted against rotation of the cable storage drum upon reversal of the direction of rotation of the cable storage drum from the pay-out direction to the pay-in direction.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This applications claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/375,701, entitled ASYMMETRICDRAG FORCE BEARING FOR USE WITH CABLE STORAGE DRUM, filed on Aug. 20,2010, the content of which is incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety for all purposes.

This application is also related to co-pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/704,808, entitled PIPE INSPECTION SYSTEM WITH REPLACEABLECABLE STORAGE DRUM, filed Feb. 12, 2010, the content of which is herebyincorporated by reference herein in its entirety for all purposes.

FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to cable storage drum assemblies,including asymmetric bearings, for use in pipe inspection and otherreel-drum devices and systems. More specifically, but not exclusively,this disclosure relates to cable storage drum assemblies configured withan asymmetric bearing device to provide varying friction levels duringdeployment and retraction of a push-cable or other mechanism stored inthe storage drum.

BACKGROUND

Pipe inspection systems are frequently employed for determining thepresence and location of obstructions in pipes, sewers, conduits, andthe like. Existing pipe inspection systems may typically include a videoor still camera mounted inside a rugged camera head, coupled to thedistal or remote end of a resilient flexible push-cable, and a reel ordrum for paying out the push-cable during use, and for rewinding thepush-cable for stowage.

During inspection, it is often necessary to slowly advance a camera headdown the length of a pipe to ensure a comprehensive inspection withprecise data capture. Conversely, when the inspection has concluded, itis desirable to quickly withdraw the camera head from the pipe, and windthe push-cable into a compact unit for storage and transport. Althoughit may be desirable to quickly retract the push-cable after use,push-cables are generally configured to be rigid when deployed (e.g., apush-cable tends to straighten out to a linear shape to support beingpushed through a pipe after being stored in a rounded shape when spooledon a reel), which may cause the push-cable to rapidly and uncontrollablyfeed out when being deployed.

Thus, there are situations where it is desirable to provide a user withvariable resistance in such a system (e.g., more friction or operatorloading during deployment or pay-out, less friction or loading duringretraction or pay-in). Some existing pipe inspection systems providevariable resistance by using a manually adjustable friction brake thatis mechanically associated with the rotatable mounting of the cablestorage drum on the stand. However, manually adjustable friction brakescreate problems due to complexity of operation and design, as well asunreliability.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art to address the above-describedas well as other problems.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, this disclosure relates to an asymmetric bearing device.The asymmetric bearing device may be configured to provide a firstfriction level during a rotation in a first direction and a secondfriction level during a rotation in an opposite direction. Theasymmetric bearing device may be configured to automatically switchbetween the first and second friction levels in response to a change inrotational direction. The asymmetric bearing may include a raceassembly, which may include one or more bearing races, and a frictionswitching and control assembly, which may include a cog assembly orother variable friction and/or variable friction switching mechanism.

The asymmetric bearing device may include, for example, a first race, asecond race, and a cog assembly to control the friction levels and/orswitching operation between the friction levels. The cog assembly may bedisposed between the first race and the second race. The cog assemblymay be configured to provide the first friction level between the firstand second race during a rotation of the asymmetric bearing device in afirst direction, and the second friction level between the first andsecond race during a rotation of the asymmetric bearing device in asecond direction. The cog assembly

In another aspect, the disclosure relates to a cable storage drumassembly including a cable storage drum, a flexible push-cable disposedon the cable storage drum, and an asymmetric bearing device supportingthe cable storage drum for rotation within a housing. The cable storagedrum assembly may further include a camera coupled to the push-cable.

In another aspect, the disclosure relates to an inspection system forinspecting pipes or other buried or hidden cavities. The inspectionsystem may include, for example, a housing, a cable storage drum, aflexible push-cable disposed on the cable storage drum, and anasymmetric bearing device supporting the cable storage drum for rotationwithin the housing. The asymmetric bearing device may include, forexample, a first race, a second race, and a cog assembly disposedbetween the first race and the second race. The cog assembly may beconfigured to provide a first friction level between the first andsecond race during a rotation of the asymmetric bearing device in afirst direction, and a second friction level between the first andsecond race during a rotation of the asymmetric bearing device in asecond direction. The inspection system may include a camera coupled tothe flexible push-cable. The inspection system may include anobstruction clearance mechanism to clear an obstruction from the pipe orother buried or hidden cavity. The obstruction clearance mechanism mayinclude a blade or other cutting apparatus. The obstruction clearancemechanism may include a pressurized liquid jetting mechanism.

In another aspect, the disclosure relates to a pipe inspection system.The inspection system may include, for example, a cable storage drum, alength of resilient flexible push-cable having a distal end and aproximal end and wound in substantially circular loops that surround arotational axis of the cable storage drum, a camera head operativelycoupled to the distal end of the push-cable, and an asymmetric bearingdevice supporting the cable storage drum for rotation about therotational axis in a pay-out direction and an opposite pay-in direction,the asymmetric bearing device automatically increasing, without the needfor manual adjustment, an amount of friction exerted against rotation ofthe cable storage drum upon reversal of the direction of rotation of thecable storage drum from the pay-in direction to the pay-out direction.The pipe inspection system may further include, for example, a housingfor supporting that asymmetric bearing.

In another aspect, the disclosure relates to an asymmetric bearingdevice. The asymmetric bearing device may include, for example, an innerrace, an outer race, a plurality of rotatable friction reducing memberspositioned between the inner race and the outer race, a friction rampformed on a first one of the races, and at least one cog supportedbetween the races, where the cog may be slidable to a first positionwhen the inner race is rotated in a first direction relative to theouter race and the cog may be slidable to a second position when theinner race is rotated in the opposite direction relative to the outerrace, and where the cog may be configured so that a greater force isrequired to flex a portion of the cog so that it can engage and slidepast the friction ramp when the inner race is rotated in the firstdirection than the second direction.

In another aspect, the disclosure relates to an asymmetric bearingdevice. The asymmetric bearing device may include, for example, an innerring-shaped race formed with a first bearing race groove and a pluralityof circumferentially spaced ramp elements, an outer ring-shaped raceformed with a plurality of circumferentially spaced friction ramps, aplurality of ball bearings positioned between the inner race and theouter race and sized to roll in the first and second bearing racegrooves, and a plurality of cogs each supported between an adjacent pairof ramp elements. Each of the cogs may be slidable to a first positionwhen the inner race is rotated in a first direction relative to theouter race and may be slidable to a second position when the inner raceis rotated in the opposite direction relative to the outer race. Eachcog may be configured so that a greater amount force is required to flexa portion of the cog to enable it to engage and slide past the frictionramps when the inner race is rotated in the first direction than in thesecond direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure may be more fully appreciated in connection withthe following detailed description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an embodiment of a pipe inspection systemconfigured with a cable storage drum assembly;

FIG. 2 illustrates details of an embodiment of the cable storage drumassembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded isometric rear view of an embodiment of the cablestorage drum assembly of FIG. 1, configured with an asymmetric bearingdevice;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged exploded isometric view illustrating details of anembodiment of the asymmetric bearing device of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan isometric view of an embodiment of anassembled asymmetric bearing device;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged rear plan view of an embodiment of an outer raceof the asymmetric bearing device embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged front plan view of an embodiment of an inner raceof the asymmetric bearing device embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged isometric view of an embodiment of an asymmetricbearing device assembly;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged isometric view illustrating details of analternate embodiment asymmetric bearing device assembly;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged side view of an embodiment of one of the slidingcogs as shown in FIGS. 4 and 9;

FIG. 11 is a horizontal section view of the asymmetric bearing deviceembodiment of FIG. 5, taken along line 11-11, illustrating aconfiguration during clockwise pay-out rotation;

FIG. 12 is a horizontal section view of the asymmetric bearing deviceembodiment of FIG. 5, taken along line 11-11, illustrating aconfiguration during counter-clockwise pay-in rotation;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged vertical section view of the asymmetric bearingdevice embodiment of FIG. 5, taken along line 13-13, illustrating alocking mechanism of the inner and outer races;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged vertical section view of the asymmetric bearingdevice embodiment of FIG. 11, taken along line 14-14;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal section view of the cablestorage drum assembly embodiment of FIG. 1, taken along line 15-15;

FIG. 16 illustrates additional details of the view illustrated of FIG.11; and

FIG. 17 illustrates additional details of the view illustrated in FIG.12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Overview

The present disclosure relates generally to pipe inspection apparatus,systems, and methods. In one aspect, the present disclosure relates toembodiments of an asymmetric bearing device for providing differentialor varying friction in such pipe inspection apparatus and systems, alongwith pipe inspection systems or other devices or systems using such anasymmetric bearing device. For example, embodiments of asymmetricbearing devices in accordance with the present invention may be used inconjunction with various pipe inspection systems, such as thosedescribed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/704,808, filed Feb. 12,2010, the content of which is incorporated by reference herein.

In another aspect, the disclosure relates to an asymmetric bearing. Theasymmetric bearing may be configured to provide a first friction levelduring a rotation in a first direction and a second friction levelduring a rotation in an opposite direction. The asymmetric bearing maybe configured to automatically switch between the first and secondfriction levels in response to a change in rotational direction. Theasymmetric bearing may include a race assembly, which may include one ormore bearing races, and a friction switching and control assembly, whichmay include a cog assembly or other variable friction and/or variablefriction switching mechanism.

The asymmetric bearing may include, for example, a first race, a secondrace, and a cog assembly to control the friction levels and/or switchingoperation between the friction levels. The cog assembly may be disposedbetween the first race and the second race. The cog assembly may beconfigured to provide the first friction level between the first andsecond race during a rotation of the asymmetric bearing in a firstdirection, and the second friction level between the first and secondrace during a rotation of the asymmetric bearing in a second direction.

The first race may include, for example, a cog movement control assemblyconfigured to interact with the cog assembly to facilitate changes infriction between the first friction level and the second friction level.The cog movement control assembly may include a ramp element.Alternately, or in addition, the cog movement control assembly mayinclude a cog rib. The cog assembly may include a plurality of cogs orother elements configured to controllably move between a first positionto provide the first friction level and a second position to provide thesecond friction level. The cogs or other elements may be configured toautomatically move between the first and second positions in response toa change in rotational direction of the asymmetric bearing. The cogs maybe positioned in contact with a ramp element at a first ramp positionand a rib element may be positioned at a first rib position to providethe first friction level, and the cogs may be positioned in contact withthe ramp element at a second ramp position and the rib element may bepositioned at a second rib position to provide the second frictionlevel.

The asymmetric bearing may further include, for example, a frictionelement configured to interact with the cogs or other movable ordeformable elements to facilitate movement of the cogs or other movableor deformable elements between the first and second positions. Thefriction element may include a friction ramp. The cogs may include amidsection configured to engage the with the friction ramp to facilitatechanging the friction level between the first friction level and thesecond friction level. The cog may be configured so that the midsectioncontacts the friction ramp at different areas, shapes, or levels ofcontact to provide the first and second friction levels. The asymmetricbearing may include a locking mechanism configured to lock the first andsecond races to contain the cog assembly and a plurality of bearings.

The cogs may be configured, for example, to be relaxed when placed inthe first position and flexed when in the second position. The cogs maybe configured so as to not contact the friction element in the relaxedposition to provide the first friction level, and to contact thefriction element in the flexed position to provide the second frictionlevel. Alternately, the cogs may be configured so as to contact thefriction element in the relaxed position to provide the second frictionlevel, and not contact the friction element in the flexed position toprovide the first friction level. The bearing cogs may include aU-shaped first cog end, a round or bulb-shaped second end, and/or anangular mid-section. The angular mid-section may be configured tocontact a friction element to provide one of the first or secondfriction levels responsive to movement of the cogs.

In another aspect, the disclosure relates to a cable storage drumassembly including a cable storage drum, a flexible push-cable disposedon the cable storage drum, and an asymmetric bearing device supportingthe cable storage drum for rotation within a housing. The cable storagedrum assembly may further include a camera coupled to the push-cable.

In another aspect, the disclosure relates to an inspection system forinspecting pipes or other buried or hidden cavities. The inspectionsystem may include, for example, a housing, a cable storage drum, aflexible push-cable disposed on the cable storage drum, and anasymmetric bearing device supporting the cable storage drum for rotationwithin the housing. The asymmetric bearing device may include, forexample, a first race, a second race, and a cog assembly disposedbetween the first race and the second race. The cog assembly may beconfigured to provide a first friction level between the first andsecond race during a rotation of the asymmetric bearing device in afirst direction, and a second friction level between the first andsecond race during a rotation of the asymmetric bearing device in asecond direction. The inspection system may include a camera coupled tothe flexible push-cable. The inspection system may include anobstruction clearance mechanism to clear an obstruction from the pipe orother buried or hidden cavity. The obstruction clearance mechanism mayinclude a blade or other cutting apparatus. The obstruction clearancemechanism may include a pressurized liquid jetting apparatus.

In another aspect, the disclosure relates to a pipe inspection system.The inspection system may include, for example, a cable storage drum, alength of resilient flexible push-cable having a distal end and aproximal end and wound in substantially circular loops that surround arotational axis of the cable storage drum, a camera head operativelycoupled to the distal end of the push-cable, and an asymmetric bearingdevice supporting the cable storage drum for rotation about therotational axis in a pay-out direction and an opposite pay-in direction,the asymmetric bearing device automatically increasing, without the needfor manual adjustment, an amount of friction exerted against rotation ofthe cable storage drum upon reversal of the direction of rotation of thecable storage drum from the pay-in direction to the pay-out direction.The pipe inspection system may further include, for example, a housingfor supporting that asymmetric bearing.

The asymmetric bearing may include, for example, an inner race, an outerrace, and at least one cog supported between the races. One of the racesmay include one or more ramp elements. The cog may slide to a firstposition when the cable storage drum is rotated in the pay-out directionand to a second position when the cable storage drum is rotated in thepay-in direction. The cog may be flexed by a friction ramp formed on oneof the races to a greater degree when the cable storage drum is rotatedin the pay-in direction may be flexed to a lesser degree when the cablestorage drum is rotated in the pay-out direction. One of the races mayincludes one or more ramp elements with a sloped face, wherein a firstportion of the cog may slide back and forth along the sloped face tovary a degree of flexibility of a second portion of the cog that engagesa friction ramp formed on another one of the races. The cog may includea U-shaped end and/or a bulb-shaped end.

The pipe inspection may further include, for example, a plurality ofrotatable friction reducing members separating the inner and outerraces. The rotatable friction reducing members may include a pluralityof ball bearings engaged with the inner and/or outer races.

In another aspect, the disclosure relates to an asymmetric bearingdevice. The asymmetric bearing device may include, for example, an innerrace, an outer race, a plurality of rotatable friction reducing memberspositioned between the inner race and the outer race, a friction rampformed on a first one of the races, and at least one cog supportedbetween the races, where the cog may be slidable to a first positionwhen the inner race is rotated in a first direction relative to theouter race and the cog may be slidable to a second position when theinner race is rotated in the opposite direction relative to the outerrace, and where the cog may be configured so that a greater force isrequired to flex a portion of the cog so that it can engage and slidepast the friction ramp when the inner race is rotated in the firstdirection than the second direction.

One of the races may include, for example, at least one ramp elementwith a sloped face, and a first portion of the cog may slide back andforth along the sloped face to vary a degree of flexibility of a secondportion of the cog that may engage the friction ramp formed on the otherone of the races. The plurality of rotatable friction reducing membersmay include a plurality of ball bearings, roller bearings, or otherbearing types. The cog may have a U-shaped end and/or a bulb-shaped end.One race may be formed with a plurality of friction ramps. The cog mayhave a midsection that engages the friction ramp. The cog may slide in acircumferential direction between the first position and the secondposition. One or both of the races may be formed with a bearing racegroove. One of the races may be formed with a plurality of ramp elementsand the asymmetric bearing device may include a plurality of cogs, whereeach one of the cogs may be slidable circumferentially between andadjacent pair of ramp elements.

In another aspect, the disclosure relates to an asymmetric bearingdevice. The asymmetric bearing device may include, for example, an innerring-shaped race formed with a first bearing race groove and a pluralityof circumferentially spaced ramp elements, an outer ring-shaped raceformed with a plurality of circumferentially spaced friction ramps, aplurality of ball bearings positioned between the inner race and theouter race and sized to roll in the first and second bearing racegrooves, and a plurality of cogs each supported between an adjacent pairof ramp elements. Each of the cogs may be slidable to a first positionwhen the inner race is rotated in a first direction relative to theouter race and may be slidable to a second position when the inner raceis rotated in the opposite direction relative to the outer race. Eachcog may be configured so that a greater amount force is required to flexa portion of the cog to enable it to engage and slide past the frictionramps when the inner race is rotated in the first direction than in thesecond direction.

Various additional aspects, details, features, and functions aredescribed below in conjunction with the appended Drawing figures.

The following exemplary embodiments are provided for the purpose ofillustrating examples of various aspects, details, and functions ofapparatus and systems; however, the described embodiments are notintended to be in any way limiting. It will be apparent to one ofordinary skill in the art that various aspects may be implemented inother embodiments within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

It is noted that as used herein, the term, “exemplary” means “serving asan example, instance, or illustration.” Any aspect, detail, function,implementation, and/or embodiment described herein as “exemplary” is notnecessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over otheraspects and/or embodiments.

Example Embodiments

Referring to FIG. 1, an embodiment of a pipe inspection system 100 inaccordance with aspects of the present invention is shown. Pipeinspection system 100 may include a cable storage drum assembly 110,which may include a cable storage drum, such as a removable donut-shapedcable storage drum 210 (such as shown in FIG. 2), enclosed in an outerhousing, such as clam shell housing 120. The cable storage drum may beconfigured to store a push-cable for deployment in or retrieval from apipe or other object or cavity. The cable storage drum 210 may besupported for rotation about a horizontal rotational axis (when placedon the ground or other surface in normal operation) in the clam shellhousing 120 by an asymmetric bearing device, such as asymmetric bearingdevice embodiment 350, to deploy or retrieve the push-cable. Generaldetails of construction of a pipe inspection system similar to system100 (without such an asymmetric bearing device) are described inaforementioned pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/704,808. Someembodiments of the present invention relate to combinations of such apipe inspection system with an asymmetric bearing embodiment, such asthose described subsequently herein.

In an exemplary embodiment, the asymmetric bearing device may beconfigured to provide a different friction or operator mechanicalloading level for deployment of the push cable versus retrieval of thepush cable. For example, on a reel-based system, an asymmetric bearingmay generate more friction or create more operator loading duringrotational deployment of a push-cable or other mechanism from the reelthan during corresponding retrieval of the push-cable or other mechanismonto the reel. This may be advantageous in applications usingpush-cables having rigidity that may cause the cable to spool outrapidly and/or uncontrollably when being deployed.

This may be implemented by providing an asymmetric bearing configured toautomatically create more friction during one rotational movement thanduring an opposite rotational movement, and automatically changefriction levels during a change in rotation direction. Examples ofdetails of exemplary embodiments of such an asymmetric bearing, alongwith related elements, are further described below.

In addition to use in a pipe inspection system such as system 100, anasymmetric bearing device in accordance with the present invention, suchas asymmetric bearing device embodiment 350 described subsequently, maybe used in a wide variety of other mechanical or electro-mechanicalsystems in which it may be advantageous to automatically imposedifferent levels of friction or loading for different directions ofrotation of a rotatable element or mechanism.

Referring to FIG. 2, additional details of embodiments of certainelements of system 100 are illustrated. Clam shell housing 120 is shownin an opened configuration in FIG. 2 to illustrate details and internalcomponents of cable storage drum assembly embodiment 110 of system 100.For example, cable storage drum assembly 110 may include a cable storagedrum mechanism, such as storage drum 210, an asymmetric bearing device,such as asymmetric bearing device 350 (not shown in FIG. 2, butillustrated in subsequent figures), a flexible push-cable 220, a camerahead 230, as well a central frusto-conical member 240.

A rotational reel assembly such as cable storage drum assembly 110 maybe used to stow substantially circular coils of some or all ofpush-cable 220 during storage of the pipe inspection system, and/orstore non-deployed portions of push-cable 220 during deployment orretrieval of the push-cable from within a pipe, conduit, or othercavity. Camera head 230 may be coupled to push-cable 220 with a suitablecable termination assembly (not shown) to provide images or video to auser from within the pipe or other cavity.

The coils of the push-cable 220 may surround or be wrapped around anaxis of the cable storage drum 210, which may be defined by a rotationalaxis of the asymmetric bearing device, such as a rotational axis ofasymmetrical bearing device 350. Examples of suitable push-cables andrelated configurations for use in various embodiments are described in,for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,939,679, issued Aug. 17, 1999, entitledVIDEO PUSH CABLE, as well as pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/371,540, filed Feb. 13, 2009, entitled PUSH-CABLE FOR VIDEOINSPECTION SYSTEM, the contents of which are hereby incorporated byreference.

A proximal end of push-cable 220 may be operatively coupled to a slipring assembly (not shown) for routing electrical signals as disclosedin, for example, the aforementioned pending U.S. patent application Ser.No. 12/704,808, such as to provide audio, video, sensors, power, orother signals, data, or information to users and/or for storage forlater retrieval and use.

Cable storage drum 210 may include a central frusto-conical member 240,or other structure, for guiding the push-cable 220 into and/or out of acentral opening disposed on the front side of the cable storage drum 210as the cable storage drum 210 rotates on a bearing surface, such as asurface of an asymmetric bearing, in a pay-out (deployment) and/or apay-in (retrieval or retraction) direction. For example, in use, thecable storage drum 210 may sit on a bearing flange 250 and be supportedby an asymmetrical bearing device, such as asymmetric bearing device350. The asymmetric bearing device may attach to the rear face of thecable storage drum 210, such as shown in FIG. 3. As used herein, theterm “front” refers to the side of a pipe inspection system or cablestorage drum from which a push-cable, such as push-cable 220, exits orenters the pipe inspection system or cable storage drum.

FIG. 3 illustrates details of an internal configuration of an embodimentof a cable storage drum assembly 300, including a cable storage drum,such as drum 210, an outer housing, such as housing 120, and anasymmetric bearing device, such as asymmetric bearing device 350.Similarly to FIG. 2, clam shell housing 120 is shown in an openconfiguration in FIG. 3 to illustrate details of cable storage drum 210and asymmetric bearing device embodiment 350.

When assembled, asymmetric bearing device 350 may be seated in a centralmount 310 of the cable storage drum 210, and may provide support to thecable storage drum 210 when mounted on bearing flange 250. One or moreslots, such as, circumferentially spaced axially extending slots 322,may be formed in a cylindrical wall 320 that defines the central mount310 of the cable storage drum 210. The slots 322 may open on both sidesof the cylindrical wall 320 that forms the central mount 310. Each ofthe slots 322 may receive a corresponding one of a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced outer race keying structure 520 (such as shownin FIG. 5), which may be formed on an opposite side of asymmetricbearing device 350 so as to firmly fix the cable storage drum 210relative to the asymmetric bearing device 350 during rotation.

Referring to FIG. 4, certain details of asymmetric bearing deviceembodiment 350 are illustrated. For example, asymmetric bearing deviceembodiment 350 may include one or more bearing races, such as an outerrace 410 and an inner race 420, along with one or more circumferentiallysliding cogs 430, which may collectively comprise a cog assembly, alongwith one or more ball bearings 440. The cogs (or other similar orequivalent elements) may be configured to interact with elements of thebearing races, such as described subsequently herein with respect to,for example, FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, to provide different frictional levelsduring different rotational direction movements of the asymmetricbearing device.

The asymmetric bearings may be made from various materials. For example,the sliding cogs 430 may be molded out of PA 66 standard polyamideNylon, or other suitable polymer or other materials. Ball bearings 440may be metallic, ceramic, or may be molded of a thermoplastic material,such as Delrin, or other suitable polymer or other materials. Forexample, one or more ball bearings 440 may comprise a steel material,such as stainless steel or chrome steel, and may be alternated withthose molded of a thermoplastic material, such as Delrin. In one aspect,ball bearings 440 formed from Delrin may be inserted in between everyother one of ball bearings 440 comprising steel to reduce rolling andincrease friction. Outer race 410 and/or inner race 420 may be molded ofABS plastic or other suitable materials.

Referring to FIG. 5, details of the outer race embodiment 410 ofasymmetric bearing 350 are illustrated. Outer race 410 may be formedwith a keying or locking structure, such as circumferentially spacedouter race keying structure 520, which may be distributed along theinner periphery. The outer race keying structure 520 may be formed asuniformly or non-uniformly spaced protuberances or keys on thecenter-facing cylindrical surface of a raised lip or other structurealong the circumference of the outer race 410. During assembly, thekeying structure 520 of the outer race 410 may mate with correspondingmating structures, such as slots 322 in the cylindrical wall 320 of thecable storage drum 210 (such as shown in FIG. 3) to engage the outerrace 410 of asymmetric bearing 350, either firmly or loosely, with thecable storage drum 210.

Referring to FIG. 6, additional details of outer race embodiment 410 areillustrated from the rear face. For example, an internal surface of theouter race 410 may be formed by an outer wall 622, an inner wall 624,and a base surface 626. The inner wall 624 may be formed with a seriesof one or more friction elements, which may be configured in a ramp orother configuration and which may be equidistantly or non-uniformlyspaced, such as friction ramps 628 as shown. The friction ramps 628 maybe circumferentially located along the inner wall 624, and may be facingthe outer wall 622. The friction elements may interact with elements ofthe cog assembly to provide variable friction depending on the directionof rotation of the asymmetric bearing device.

An outer race bearing groove 630, or other structure, which may be of apartially circular cross-section configuration, may be formedcircumferentially along the base surface 626 along the bottom edge ofthe outer wall 622. The bearing race groove 630 may be used to support acircular array of ball bearings, such as ball bearings 440 (such asshown in FIG. 4). The ball bearings 440 may have a diameter that issized to conform to the radius of the part circular cross-section of theouter race bearing groove 630 to facilitate rotational movement of theasymmetric bearing.

Referring to FIG. 7, details of inner race embodiment 420 areillustrated from the rear face. For example, a locking mechanism, suchas a series of inner race keying ridges 732 and/or a series of innerrace keying radial recesses 734, may be formed into an outer circularedge of the inner race 420. When assembled, the inner race keying ridges732 and/or the inner race keying radial recesses 734 may mate withcorresponding concavities and protrusions (or other locking elements)molded into the surface of a housing, such as clam shell housing 120. Inthis configuration, inner race 420 may be held in a fixed orientationrelative to the clam shell housing 120, while outer race 410 may befixed relative to the cable storage drum 210 and may rotate with thecable storage drum 210 around the inner race 420.

Referring to FIG. 8, additional details of inner race embodiment 800 areillustrated. For example, elements disposed on the inner race 420 ofinner race embodiment 800 may include an inner race bearing groove 830,a separating wall 870, as well as a cog movement control assembly, whichmay include elements such as one or more ramp elements 840, which may beformed into an inner shoulder 850, one or more axial cog ribs 880, aswell as one or more small protruding ridges 860. In operation, the cogmovement control assembly may interact with cog assembly elements, suchas cogs 430, to vary the shape or orientation of the cog assemblyelements to change rotation friction depending on direction of rotation.For example, the flexibility of cogs 430, or other cog assemblyelements, may be changed upon movement of the cogs from a first positionto a second position to vary their flexibility and thereby vary frictionon an associated friction element in contact with the cogs 430.

In an exemplary embodiment, the cog movement control assembly includesramps, such as ramp elements 840, which may interact with otherelements, such as sliding cogs 430 as shown in FIG. 4 (or other similaror equivalent elements), to control application of frictional forces inasymmetric bearing device 350, such as described subsequently withrespect to FIG. 11 and FIG. 12. Ridges 860 may be evenly or non-evenlydistributed between each pair of the ramp elements 840 along thecircumference of the lower section of the inner shoulder 850. Ribs, suchas one or more axial cog ribs 880, may be further included in the cogmovement control assembly, to further interact with sliding cogs 430 tocontrol application of frictional forces, such as described subsequentlywith respect to FIG. 11 and FIG. 12. Other configurations of cogmovement control assembly elements and configuration that providesimilar functionality may alternately be used in various embodiments.

Inner race bearing groove 830 may provide a track or compartment forcontaining or controlling movement of ball bearings, such as ballbearings 440 (such as shown in FIG. 4), when assembled. In FIG. 8, afraction of the ball bearings 440 that would be used in a typicalimplementation are omitted to better illustrate curvature of the outerbearing race groove 830; however, in a typical implementation, bearings,such as ball bearings 440, surround the inner race bearing groove 830.

When the components of an asymmetric bearing such as asymmetric bearingdevice embodiment 350 are assembled, the ball bearings 440 may be heldin place or controlled, such as under the edge of the outer race bearinggroove 630 (such as shown in FIG. 6), and by the curved surface of innerrace bearing groove 830 of inner race 420. The outer race 410 and theinner race 420 may be configured and dimensioned with ball bearings 440such that a mechanical connection, such as a firm snap-fit, occurs whenthe inner race 420 and the outer race 410 are pressed together, thusholding the inner race, outer race, and bearings loosely together andfree to turn relative to one another. Other connection mechanisms mayalso be used in various embodiments.

As noted previously, in one aspect, the present invention relates toproviding varying or different friction or loading between deployment ofthe push-cable and retrieval of the push-cable. In order to effect sucha variation, in an exemplary embodiment, ramp elements 840 (or othersimilar or equivalent configurations) may be used in conjunction withother elements to control applied friction. For example, ramp elements840 may comprise part of a mechanism for providing differential rotationrates (e.g., corresponding to different applied friction in theasymmetric bearing) when asymmetric bearing device 350 rotates withcable storage drum, such as cable storage drum 210, in a pay-outdirection versus a pay-in direction. To implement this, ramp elements840 may be concentrically enclosed by separating wall 870, and may beconfigured to gradually slope downward, away from the separating wall870, further curving inward towards the center of the inner race 420. Inan exemplary embodiment, the ramp elements 840 curve downward and awayfrom separating wall 870 until they are abruptly curved inward at acurve structure 842 towards the center of the inner race 420. Theconfiguration may interact with a cog element, such as describedsubsequently with respect to FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, to automaticallycontrol applied friction. Other similar or equivalent configurations mayalternately be used in some embodiments.

FIG. 9 illustrates details of a cog and inner race assembly 900, such asmay be implemented with sliding cog embodiment 430 in conjunction withinner race embodiment 420. As shown in FIG. 9, sliding cogs 430 may beseated between pairs of ramp elements 840. In various embodiments, oneor more sliding cogs 430 may be used. For example, additional cogs maybe used to increase frictional levels to a desired friction level for aparticular application. In configurations where pairs of sliding cogs430 are placed opposite each other, such as, for example, when two,four, or six sliding cogs 430 are used, each of the sliding cogs 430 maybe configured in a mirror-image relationship to another such that eachcog turns in the same direction during rotation of the asymmetricbearing device 350.

Each pair of ramp elements 840 may be spaced, to provide each ofcorresponding sliding cogs 430, an area to slide along a sloped face1625 of the corresponding ramp element 840 (such as shown in area 1620of FIG. 16 and area 1720 of FIG. 17). As described subsequently, thesliding action may be used to change applied frictional force during achange in drum rotation. The sliding cogs 430 may be dimensioned suchthat the width is approximately equal to the height of the separatingwall 870. One or more rib structures, such as axial cog ribs 880 asshown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, may be formed along the inward face of theseparating wall 870 to interact with corresponding sliding cogs 430.Each rib may be seated between each pair of adjacent ramp elements 840.Each of the sliding cogs 430 may be in contact with each of the axialcog ribs 880. The contact point may change when the sliding cogs changeposition (as described subsequently with respect to FIG. 11 and FIG.12).

FIG. 10 illustrates additional details of sliding cog embodiment 430(such as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 9). In the exemplary embodimentillustrated in FIG. 10, each sliding cog 430 may be configured to havevarying flexibility depending on their position with respect to otherelements (such as ramp elements 840 and axial cog ribs 880). Toimplement this, in one embodiment each sliding cog 430 may include arounded or bulb-shaped end 1010, an angular midsection 1020, and aU-shaped end 1030. The angular midsection 1020 of the sliding cog 430may be slightly raised inwards (when positioned as shown in FIG. 9)relative to the center of inner race 420. The U-shaped end 1030 mayterminate in a rounded tip 1032. The U-shape, or other similar orequivalent configuration, may be used to facilitate varying flexion ofthe cog depending on its position relative to other elements. Examplesof this action are described subsequently with respect to FIG. 11(illustrating cog and race interaction during deployment or pay-out) andFIG. 12 (illustrating cog and race interaction during retrieval,retraction or pay-in).

FIG. 11 illustrates a horizontal section view of asymmetric bearingembodiment 350, taken along line 11-11 (as shown in FIG. 5), toillustrate the configuration of inner race 420, sliding cogs 430, rampelements 840, and other elements when asymmetric bearing 350 is rotatedin a pay-out direction (e.g., clockwise pay-out direction 1110 asshown). As noted previously, to implement varying friction or loading,different forces may be applied to sliding cogs 430 and associatedelements during deployment than during retraction actions. In order toimplement this functionality, an asymmetric bearing configured such asdescribed below may be used. In some embodiments, other similar orequivalent configurations may alternately be used.

In operation, a rounded or bulb-shaped end 1010 of each of the slidingcogs 430 may be configured to slide against one of the ramp elements840, and a U-shaped end 1030 may be configured to slide against anadjacent axial cog rib 880. The bulb-shaped ends 1010 may be positionedto make contact with associated ramp elements 840, while the U-shapedends 1030 may be in contact with associated axial cog ribs 880, whichmay be disposed between each pair of the ramp elements 840.

During rotation in clockwise pay-out direction 1110, the axial cog rib880 may be positioned as shown in FIG. 11 to support the U-shaped end1030 of the sliding cog 430 closer to the curved segment of the “U”shape (“U-shaped” end) at a first rib position. This positioning isfurther detailed in FIG. 16, which illustrates example contact pointsbetween U-shaped end 1030 and axial cog rib 880 within area 1610 duringrotation in the pay-out direction.

Conversely, during rotation in a counter-clockwise pay-in direction1120, the cog may move, thereby shifting the support point of the axialcog rib 880 closer to the open end of the U-shaped end 1030 as shown inFIG. 12 (bearing configurations in rotation direction 1120 are describedsubsequently with respect to FIG. 12) to a second rib position. Thispositioning is further detailed in FIG. 17, which shows example contactbetween U-shaped end 1030 and axial cog rib 880 during rotation in thepay-in direction within an area 1710. By facilitating movements of thesliding cogs 430 between the first and second positions shown in FIG. 11and FIG. 12 respectively (and correspondingly in FIG. 16 and FIG. 17),different frictional loading may be provided in pay-out and pay-inrotational movements of the asymmetrical bearing.

To implement this action, U-shaped end 1030 may be configured to be moreflexible when pressure is applied at or near the open part of theU-shaped end (e.g., as shown in area 1710 of FIG. 17), and less flexiblewhen pressure is applied closer to the curved segment of the U-shapedend 1030 (e.g., as shown in area 1610 of FIG. 16). During pay-out, whenaxial cog ribs 880 support U-shaped ends 1030 near the bend (as shown inarea 1610), additional support is provided to the sliding cogs 430, andtherefore only a small amount of bend and flex may occur in the U-shapedends 1030, which may minimize movement of area 1020.

Conversely, more flex may occur when the U-shaped ends 1030 aresupported near the open area (e.g., during pay-in, as shown in FIG. 17).For example, when axial cog ribs 880 support sliding cogs 430 closer tothe open end of the U-shaped ends 1030, as shown in area 1710 of FIG.17), less support is provided to the sliding cogs 430, and an increasein bend and flex may occur in the lower arm of the U-shaped ends 1030 asfriction ramps 628 (such as shown in FIG. 6) pass under the sliding cogs430 and press them outward.

In addition to interaction between U-shaped ends 1030 and axial cog ribs880 as described above, interaction between bulb-shaped ends 1010 andramp elements 840, as well as U-shaped ends 1030 and axial cog ribs 880,may also be used to vary applied friction. For example, during rotationin pay-out direction 1110, the bulb-shaped end 1010 of each of thesliding cogs 430 may be forced slightly inward toward the hub ofrotation by the presence of a stop element 1623, such as shown in anarea 1620 of FIG. 16 to illustrate a first ramp position of the rampelement 840, which may lever the U-shaped end 1030 of the sliding cog430 outward against the axial cog rib 880.

During rotation in the clockwise pay-out direction 1110, frictioninterference contact may occur each time the angular midsection 1020 ofsliding cogs 430 encounters one of the friction ramps 628 (such as shownin FIG. 6) formed in the periphery of the inner wall 624 of outer race410. The degree of friction interference during rotation may becontrolled by varying the number of sliding cogs 430 and/or frictionramps 628 in a particular embodiment. For example, by increasing thenumber of sliding cogs 430 and/or the friction ramps 628, the moreinstances of frictional drag will occur in each rotation of theasymmetric bearing device and corresponding cable storage drum (or otherattached mechanism).

Addition of drag caused by friction generated from the interactionbetween the sliding cogs and friction ramps (or other similar orequivalent structures) makes paying out of a push-cable or othermechanism from a storage drum or other mechanism more readilycontrollable by the operator, which may provide advantages such asreducing or eliminating the risk of the cable storage drum free-wheelingand releasing coils of the push cable (or other mechanism) in anuncontrolled manner.

Conversely, when a push-cable or other mechanism is beingretracted/payed-in to a cable storage drum or other device, less finecontrol is generally needed and the risk of coils of the push cable (orother mechanism) springing out uncontrolled is reduced. In someembodiments, the relative amount of friction needed for deploymentversus retrieval may be reversed. In this applications, theconfiguration may be adjusted so as to provide greater frictional forceor loading during retrieval than during deployment. In addition, in someembodiments, adjustment mechanisms may be used to provide furthervariation in the applied friction. For example, a user control, such asa dial or other adjustment mechanism, may be included to vary theapplied friction by adjusting the position of elements such as the cogs,ramps, ribs, or other elements.

FIG. 12 illustrates a horizontal section view of asymmetric bearingembodiment 350, taken along line 11-11 (as shown in FIG. 5), toillustrate the configuration of inner race 420, sliding cogs 430, rampelements 840, and other elements when asymmetric bearing 350 is rotatedin a pay-in direction (e.g., counter-clockwise pay-out direction 1120 asshown). The positioning of these elements as shown in FIG. 12 can beconsidered as an opposite orientation to that shown in FIG. 11.

Friction ramps 628 (such as shown in FIG. 6) of the outer race 410 maybe configured to cause the sliding cogs 430 to slide counter-clockwisewhen the cable reel or other mechanism is similarly rotated. In thisorientation, bulb-shaped ends 1030 of sliding cogs 430 may slide alongsloped face 1625 of corresponding ramp elements 840 (as furtherillustrated in area 1720 of FIG. 17) to a second ramp position. Inaddition, the U-shaped ends 1010 may move toward, and rest on, axial cogribs 880 near the open end of the U-shaped ends 1030 as shown in furtherdetail in area 1710 of FIG. 17. In this configuration, the U-shaped ends1030 may flex more readily than in the configuration shown in FIG. 16 asthe friction ramps 628 pass under the angular midsection 1020 of each ofthe sliding cogs 430. As a result of this change in the position andresulting increase in flexibility, friction may be reduced in thebearing when rotating in direction 1120 (e.g., a counter clockwisepay-in direction).

FIG. 13 is a vertical section view of certain details of asymmetricbearing device embodiment 350 taken along line 13-13 (as shown in FIG.5), illustrating a locking mechanism of the outer race 410, inner race420, and ball bearings 440. When assembled, the ball bearings 440 may beheld under an inner overhanging edge 1310 of the inner race bearinggroove 830 of the inner race 420, and may be further constrained by anouter overhanging edge 1320 of the outer race bearing groove 630 in theouter race 410. The inner race 420 and outer race 410 may be configuredand dimensioned to mechanically couple, such as by a snap-fit thatoccurs when the outer bearing race groove 830 is populated with ballbearings 440 and the two races are pressed together, thereby holding theinner race 420 and outer race 410 together. The elements shown in FIG.13 may typically be configured for a loose fit; however, a tight fit maybe used in some embodiments.

FIG. 14 is a vertical section view of certain details of asymmetricbearing device embodiment 350, taken along line 14-14 (as shown in FIG.11), illustrating interaction between one of the friction ramps 628 andone of the sliding cogs 430. The friction ramp 628 may be a formedfeature of outer race 410, such as shown in FIG. 6. Friction ramp 628,or another similar or equivalent structure, may facilitate movement ofsliding cogs 430 during transition from one rotational direction to theother. For example, when in contact with a sliding cog 430, frictionramp 628 may move the cog in a direction of travel along thecircumference until the sliding cog 430 abuts a ramp element 840 such asshown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 16.

Turning to FIG. 15, a fragmentary horizontal section view of the cablestorage drum assembly embodiment 110, taken along line 15-15 (as shownin FIG. 1), is illustrated showing example positioning of asymmetricbearing device embodiment 350. As shown in FIG. 15, outer race 410 maybe seated below frusto-conical member 240, and axial slots 322 may beconfigured to receive individual outer race keying structures 520 (suchas shown in FIG. 5).

In addition to the previously described embodiments of the asymmetricbearing, modifications and adaptations thereof will be apparent topersons skilled in the art. For example, a converse arrangement of thefriction mechanism between the inner and outer races may also beutilized. Where components have been described as plastic, a wide arrayof other materials such as metals, ceramics, or other suitable materialsmay also be used.

Various other changes, additions, and/or alterations may be used invarious embodiments. For example, in some embodiments, other rotatablefriction reducing members such as roller bearings or cone bearings maybe used as an alternative to ball bearings. Other configurations forproviding variable friction within a bearing assembly may also be usedin addition to or in place of the cog, rib, and ramp element embodimentsdescribed herein.

While the illustrated example pipe inspection system 100 uses a clamshell housing to support the cable storage drum, an open frame may beutilized with the asymmetric bearing instead of a housing that enclosesthe cable storage drum. An example of such an open frame configurationis illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 6,545,704, entitled VIDEO PIPEINSPECTION DISTANCE MEASURING SYSTEM, issued Apr. 8, 2003, the contentof which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

Though an exemplary use of the asymmetric bearing device describedherein is with a pipe inspection system such as system 100, otherdevices and apparatus may alternately use such an asymmetric bearing.For example, other devices that utilize a rotary drum wherein variablefriction or loading may be advantages may be implemented withembodiments of the present disclosure. In some of these apparatuses, agreater resistance to the pay-in direction than the pay-out directionmay be advantageous and achieved through reversing the orientation ofthe slider and ramp elements.

In some configurations, the mechanism, elements, apparatus, or systemsdescribed herein may include means for implementing features orproviding functions described herein. In one aspect, the aforementionedmeans may be a mechanism for providing variable friction in a bearingassembly, such as through use of a sliding or otherwise movable orchangeable element to provide variable friction depending on directionof motion.

The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is provided toenable any person skilled in the art to make or use the presentdisclosure. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readilyapparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles definedherein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from thespirit or scope of the disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is notintended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to beaccorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novelaspects and features disclosed herein.

The disclosure is not intended to be limited to the aspects shownherein, but is to be accorded the full scope consistent with thespecification and drawings, wherein reference to an element in thesingular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specificallyso stated, but rather “one or more.” Unless specifically statedotherwise, the term “some” refers to one or more. A phrase referring to“at least one of” a list of items refers to any combination of thoseitems, including single members. As an example, “at least one of: a, b,or c” is intended to cover: a; b; c; a and b; a and c; b and c; and a, band c.

The previous description of the disclosed aspects is provided to enableany person skilled in the art to make or use the present disclosure.Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to thoseskilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may beapplied to other aspects without departing from the spirit or scope ofthe disclosure. Thus, the disclosure is not intended to be limited tothe aspects shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scopeconsistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein. Itis intended that the following claims and their equivalents define thescope of the disclosure.

We claim:
 1. A pipe inspection system, comprising: a housing; a cablestorage drum; a flexible push-cable disposed on the cable storage drum;and an asymmetric bearing device supporting the cable storage drum forrotation within the housing, the asymmetric bearing device including; afirst race; a second race; and a cog assembly disposed between the firstrace and the second race, wherein the cog assembly is configured toprovide a first friction level between the first and second race duringa rotation of the asymmetric bearing device in a first direction, and asecond friction level between the first and second race during arotation of the asymmetric bearing device in a second direction.
 2. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the first race includes a cog movementcontrol assembly configured to interact with the cog assembly tofacilitate changes in friction between the first friction level and thesecond friction level.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the cogmovement control assembly includes a ramp element.
 4. The system ofclaim 2, wherein the cog movement control assembly further includes acog rib.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the cog movement controlassembly includes a cog rib.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the cogassembly comprises a plurality of cogs configured to controllably movebetween a first position to provide the first friction level and asecond position to provide the second friction level.
 7. The system ofclaim 6, wherein the cogs are positioned in contact with a ramp elementat a first ramp position and a rib element at a first rib position toprovide the first friction level, and the cogs are positioned in contactwith the ramp element at a second ramp position and the rib element at asecond rib position to provide the second friction level.
 8. The systemof claim 6, further comprising a friction element configured to interactwith the cogs to facilitate movement of the cogs between the first andsecond positions.
 9. The bearing device system of claim 8, wherein thefriction element comprises a friction ramp.
 10. The bearing devicesystem of claim 9, wherein the cogs include a midsection configured toengage the with the friction ramp to change the friction level betweenthe first friction level and the second friction level.
 11. The systemof claim 6, wherein the cogs are configured to be relaxed when placed inthe first position and flexed when in the second position, and whereinthe cogs are configured to contact a friction element in the flexedposition to provide the second friction level.
 12. The system of claim6, wherein the cogs include a U-shaped first cog end, a round orbulb-shaped second end, and an angular mid-section.
 13. The system ofclaim 12, wherein the angular mid-section is configured to contact afriction element to provide one of the first or second friction levelsresponsive to movement of the cogs.
 14. The system of claim 1, furthercompnsmg a locking mechanism configured to lock the first and secondraces to contain the cog assembly and a plurality of bearings.
 15. Thesystem of claim 1, further comprising a camera coupled to the flexiblepush-cable.
 16. The system of claim 1, wherein the first race includes acog movement control assembly configured to interact with the cogassembly to facilitate changes in friction between the first frictionlevel and the second friction level.